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EXO-L ACE's "There is no Chen in EXO" Bus Ad Attempt In Chen's Hometown Failed

The controversy is still heating up over EXO's Chen, who announced his marriage plans and hinted his non-celebrity girlfriend's pregnancy in January. While SM Entertainment declared in a statement that "there will be no change in the members," some rabid fandom members continued targeting him as well as the agency. There are concerns within and outside the fandom wherein these rabid fans call for the idol's withdrawal from EXO by executing "delivery terrorism" to "request ads to withdraw."

On January 4, the "EXO-L Ace Coalition," a group formed within the fandom, allegedly comprised mostly Korean EXO-Ls, who demanded Chen to leave by protesting outside the SMTOWN COEX Artium in Seoul on January 19. Under the name "Delivery Gunner," the fandom damaged albums and other goods related to Chen and then shipped them back to the agency in a delivery box. The box also contained words mocking Chen and SM, such as "Wishing for Chen's withdrawal" and "It contains the items of an idol who has become a father." In the process, when SM refused to accept some parcels, it changed delivery companies and sent them back.

The latest attempt was a bus advertisement, also demanding the EXO member to be kicked out. It was conducted in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, Chen's hometown, but was reportedly decided to be removed after it was found out to have broken the law. News reports said that "the bus advertisement demanding Chen's withdrawal" was attached without prior consultation with the city government. Under the outdoor advertisement law, bus advertisements are classified as "advertisements using means of transportation." And this can be posted if they are authorized by the city hall or district office in advance.

"We have not received the draft of the advertisement and have never approved it," Siheung City Hall said.

"We found out that the contents of the advertisement were attached to the bus and notified the advertising agency that the advertisement should be placed on the morning of the 16th," they added. 

The advertisement was announced on SNS prior to its kick-off in the aforementioned province. It included the words, "There is no CHEN in the future, withdraw," and "requires the expulsion of Chen, who has undermined the group's image and forsaken fans' faith." The advertisement was initially scheduled to be posted on March 16 after being attached to five buses on four routes linking Siheung and Ansan.

Such a "declaration-out" situation is heating up as the atmosphere in the fandom is divided into two: members of the "Chen Exclusion" faction and fans who support the nine-member system, or OT9. As of writing, fans are complaining about the malicious comments and insults hurled at the artists. And despite SM and Chen himself stating that he will continue promoting with his group, just like what his members often say in interviews when asked about their future plans, toxic fans are persistent on making attempts to get what they want.